The twist? Crist's professed party in the campaign filing Friday is Democrat.

Crist famously separated from the Republican Party during his failed 2010 bid for the U.S. Senate.

At the time, he switched to Independent after he fell far behind in the race against a then little-known Marco Rubio, who went on to become the state's Republican Senator after a three-way race.

The reason for Crist's fall from the GOP was in part his 2009 embrace of President Barack Obama at an event pushing the federal stimulus.

Crist completed his transformation from red to blue when he changed his party affiliation to Democrat in 2012 after backing Obama for reelection and speaking at the Democratic National Convention that year.

"I didn't leave the Republican Party, the Republican Party left me," Crist said on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight" at the time, repeating a line he used at the Democratic convention. "Issue after issue they seem to get more strident and more difficult."

Polls have treated the political transition kindly, with potential voters in a March Quinnipiac University survey backing Crist 50% of the time to Republican Gov. Rick Scott's 34%.

soundoff(198 Responses)

Why hire someone whose principles are so bad, he flip flops from one party to the other, and stands for NOTHING?

November 1, 2013 07:28 pm at 7:28 pm |

Gurgyl

I like this dude.

November 1, 2013 08:36 pm at 8:36 pm |

iBod

Love this guy! Good luck to him!

November 1, 2013 08:45 pm at 8:45 pm |

Richard

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so ready.

November 1, 2013 08:47 pm at 8:47 pm |

deee510

Go Christ.time to jump ship from the party of hatred.

November 1, 2013 08:53 pm at 8:53 pm |

stars

Crist will win.

November 1, 2013 08:54 pm at 8:54 pm |

Normal In NH

Pretty pathetic Charlie...

November 1, 2013 09:00 pm at 9:00 pm |

Be Fair

Be fair and cover Adrian Wyllie who is the Libertarian candidate for governor in Florida.

November 1, 2013 09:06 pm at 9:06 pm |

Edgard Fueller

Any one but Skelletor.The present Gov. of Florida is the poster person of a rich man getting into politics to become richer and punished his personal enemies

November 1, 2013 09:07 pm at 9:07 pm |

Jeff

How embarrassing....just stick to your beliefs. Don't change your beliefs based on what you think will get you elected.

November 1, 2013 09:19 pm at 9:19 pm |

ironwolf56

Democrat, Republican they're all the same; they just like the power and favors. At least this idiot is a bit more open about it than the rest of them.

November 1, 2013 09:22 pm at 9:22 pm |

Used to be a republican but never Again

Good news ! Always liked him because he was an independent thinker ! Way to impartial to be a republican that's why they couldn't get along ! Wish him all the best !

November 1, 2013 09:25 pm at 9:25 pm |

TiredofBush

wonder how long he will be a democrat?

November 1, 2013 09:28 pm at 9:28 pm |

harrisonhits2

THey kicked him out because he had the nerve to be polite and nice to the President ? That was all ???

November 1, 2013 09:33 pm at 9:33 pm |

termlimits

The left has no answer for reason. Like it or not the tea party is etched into our memory bank. 40 years of socialist thought will vanish into the future of dust.

November 1, 2013 09:59 pm at 9:59 pm |

Andrew

Every once in a while one of them comes to his senses and decides he wants to improve the quality of people's lives..

November 1, 2013 10:06 pm at 10:06 pm |

Craig

Ah, the implosion continues. Darn, if this didn't have such negative consequences it would be great entertainment...and good for the economy too. Just think of companies that market popcorn and other snacks.

November 1, 2013 10:08 pm at 10:08 pm |

OldSchool

We don't need to accommodate US politics shifting FURTHER to the right, we need REAL LIBERALS!

November 1, 2013 10:09 pm at 10:09 pm |

bccream

"Crist famously separated from the Republican Party during his failed 2010 bid for the U.S. Senate. The reason for Crist's fall from the GOP was in part his 2009 embrace of President Barack Obama at an event pushing the federal stimulus." That explains it all.

November 1, 2013 10:09 pm at 10:09 pm |

bam

well he didnt really have to change his affiliation... the gop has moved so far right anyone that didnt follow is a Democrat now

November 1, 2013 10:10 pm at 10:10 pm |

Carl

What a hack – belongs in the Democrat party.

November 1, 2013 10:13 pm at 10:13 pm |

here and back again

This will happen more and more. It isn't a bad thing...the Left is open enough to walk the middle whereas the GOP right now is not.

November 1, 2013 10:14 pm at 10:14 pm |

miguel

Go away Charlie. You are a loser no matter which party you claim.

November 1, 2013 10:17 pm at 10:17 pm |

ThinkAgain

Current Florida guv Scott is a medicare fraudster, hellbent on aiding the tea bags bring down our county. The good people of FLA would do well to end their spin down the drain and embrace Crist.

November 1, 2013 10:18 pm at 10:18 pm |

EvenSatan

As a republican, i believe we have to stay loyal. Even if Satan was running as a Republican, then we have to vote for him. That's what loyalty truly is.